I am blessed and I am okay

07Mar

For a long period of time, life was tough for me. I dealt with two chronic illnesses, then financial and marital troubles, then my brother’s illness and death and then my mom’s stroke. I spent so much time waiting for the other shoe to drop that I forgot what it meant to be truly happy. My past struggles made me the person I am today. I am strong, independent, careful, responsible, stubborn, and most of all, unique. I have weathered many tough storms and I have chased some nearly impossible dreams. In the end, I always managed to triumph.

I was reminded recently by a wonderful friend to thank God for all the good that has been handed to me lately. I didn’t overcome or triumph without God my side, after all. I have for years struggled with my relationship with the Almighty. Often times, it was a result of my asking too many questions and not always accepting what was in front of me. The truth is, I still I have questions but I understand now that sometimes there are no answers. Maybe it is that I am older or maybe it is that I have seen time and again that God is by my side, but I am okay with not always having the answers. After all, I can only control my responses, I cannot control anything else.

When I reflect upon the person I was prior to chronic illness, losing my brother, life’s struggles, and my mother’s health, I realize that that person could not have handled what I have handled. I changed because life required me to. I also changed because I truly let God in my heart and into my life. So much has happened to me over the past few years and I don’t think I would have gotten through without God by side.

I am blessed because I have many good things happening and I thank God everyday for this. I am doing well in my career, my advocacy work, my kids are healthy, my mom is getting better, and my financial situation is better. Additionally, while I have had many near misses with my health, my RA and fibro are pretty well managed. But I have an upcoming challenge and while I know I will get through it, it is going to be quite stressful. But tough times call for tough people.

Here is the thing – for the first time in a long time, I feel like I am going to be okay. My kids and I – we are doing fine and we will continue to be fine. As I look at my life and I reflect upon what has been lost and what has been gained, I see a brighter vision for the future. That is all any of us can ask for. If we believe, have hope, and offer prayer, we are ahead of most. So yes, I am okay and I am going to continue to be okay.

So how does one keep up the fight? You take it one day at a time. You get up every morning hoping that today is better. You don’t stay in bed and think hopeless thoughts. You live for today, you do what you can and you don’t allow yourself to worry about things getting worse. Be thankful for all the things you have rather than what you don’t have. Strive for the strength and courage to accept chronic illness with self-respect and humility. Take care of yourself and those who love you and support you. Enjoy the beauty of today and don’t spend your days worrying about tomorrow. This is all you can do and this is all any of us can do. From Do I Ever Feel Sorry for Myself? READ MORE. https://livinglifewithraandfms.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/do-i-ever-feel-sorry-for-myself/

Hope

"Hope is the belief in your ability to recover from whatever has knocked you down on any given day. Resilience is the ability to recover from the punch and the land on your feet, or on your own butt, or whatever supports you at that time. To cultivate your physical resilience, you must have mental resilience that comes from a place called hope.” From Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! By Rosalind Joffe and Joan Friedlander

The Law of the Garbage Truck

The Law of the Garbage Truck
Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You’ll be happier. David J. Pollay

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Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. Nothing in this blog should be taken as medical or expert. I am not a medical professional. Any information presented on this blog or related endorsement is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. You should never consider any of the information presented here as a substitute for consulting with your physician or healthcare provider for any medical condition or concern. Any information presented here is merely general information. It is not medical advice, nor is it intended as advice for your personal situation. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have concerns about your health or suspect that you might have a problem.